Der Irdischen Klänge 2. Teil, Nämlich 5 Naturstücke, Op. 45 / "Diese Bilder Müssen In Begleitung Von Musik Gesehen Werden." / "...In Keltischer Manier", Konzert Für Alphorn Und Kleines Orchester, Op. 27 / Cinque Chansons Cryptiques D'Après Des Texte

Released by the Austrian label Amadeo in 1986, this recording highlights the whimsical and Neo-Romantic compositions of Kurt Schwertsik. A founding member of the Viennese 'die reihe' ensemble and a key figure in the move away from the strict serialism that dominated mid-20th-century avant-garde music, Schwertsik sought to reconnect contemporary composition with tonal beauty and playful irony. This collection of works captures his mature style, blending eclectic influences with a distinctly Viennese sensitivity to lyricism and structure.

The album serves as a document of the broader European movement toward pluralism in the 1980s, where composers felt liberated to draw from historical forms and folk traditions. By featuring pieces like the concertante work for alphorn, the recording demonstrates Schwertsik’s interest in contrasting the mundane with the surreal. The production was well-received by critics of the era for its technical clarity and for effectively capturing the understated wit and subtle melancholy inherent in Schwertsik’s writing, providing listeners with a nuanced entry point into the post-serialist landscape.